Demountable partitions and studs therefor

ABSTRACT

A demountable partition assembly featuring independent but mutually reinforcing mounting of the two rows of panels defining the partition assembly, the studs of one row being confined within those of the other row to permit opposite joints to be directly aligned.

United States Patent [191 Nelsson DEMOUNTABLE PARTITIONS AND STUDS THEREFOR [75] Inventor: Nels Nelsson, Des Plaines, Ill.

[73] Assignee: United States Gypsum Company,

Chicago, Ill.

[22] Filed: Sept. 1, 1972 [21] Appl. N0.: 285,762

[52] U.S. Cl 52/241, 52/424, 52/481, 52/731 [51] Int. Cl E04b 2/78 [58] Field of Search 52/241, 242, 243, 281, 52/481, 495, 496, 498, 493, 588, 731, 354, 355, 424

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,019,230 10/1935 Lyon 52/495 X 2,066,205 12/1936 Keating..... 52/496;496 X 2,412,404 12/1946 Jackson I 52/493 X 2,968,070 1/1961 Wolstead 52/479 X Jan. 14, 1975 3,027,605 4/1962 Nelsson 52/241 3,270,473 9/1966 Smith 3,475,810 11/1969 Mates 3,553,915 1/1971 Passovoy 3,702,044 11/1972 Balinski 3,729,883 5/1973 Thompson 3,732,657 5/1973 Nelsson 52/241 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 631,064 8/1963 Belgium 52/241 439,653 8/1967 Switzerland 52/483 Primary Extzminer-Henry C. Sutherland Attorney, Agent, or FirmSamuel Kurlandsky, Esq.; Stanton T. Hadley, Esq.; Kenneth E. Roberts, Esq.

[57] ABSTRACT A demountable partition assembly featuring independent but mutually reinforcing mounting of the two rows of panels defining the partition assembly, the studs of one row being confined within those of the other row to permit opposite joints to be directly aligned.

5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures DEMOUNTABLE PARTITIONS AND STUDS THEREFOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Demountable partition assemblies have been provided for the erection of a hollow wall defined by two opposed rows of panels, wherein each row may be assembled and disassembled independently of the other. Further, either one of the rows may be supported by studs which will permit accessibility of individual panels, without requiring the progressive disassembly of that row. At the same time, however, the studs of one row give lateral support to those of the opposite row without being structurally engaged therein. Such a system is disclosed in my copending US. Application Ser. No. 77,997 filed Oct. 5, 1970, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,732,657. Some of the studs therein described have a J-shaped cross-section which progressively assembles the one row independently of the other. Such a system, while providing a unique flexibility, is susceptible to a crowding of the studs in those rare instances where the wallboard joint of one row lines up directly opposite the joint of the opposite row. It is desirable, therefore, to provide a construction wherein a substitution of studs can be made at such joints which will accommodate both rows studs without crowding, and yet still maintain the other advantages present in the construction disclosed in my aforesaid application.

Wall structures have been provided many years ago wherein each of two opposite rows abutted against, without being engaged to, .box-shaped supports of the opposite row, such supports featuring angle clips that are confined within the other part of the support to eliminate crowding. An example is shown in US. Pat. No. 2,412,404. However, this did not provide for adjacent studs from opposite rows which were in close proximity, as in the case of opposed joints, without requiring a complicated splicing or connector arrangement with at least twice the spacing between rows that was otherwise used.

One solution has been to provide studs which do not extend more than half-way acrossthe space between the two rows of wallboard. Thus, these studs do not crowd each other, but of necessity they also provide no lateral support to the opposite row. See, as an example, Swedish Pat. No. 334,994 published on Aug. 19, 1971.

Still other recent constructions have utilized pressure-sensitive adhesive tape which is capable of permitting independent mounting of opposite rows, as shown in US. Pat. No. 3,553,915. Again, one problem with such a construction is that the joints are disclosed to be staggered, no accommodation of adjacent studs at directly opposite joints being possible. Another problem is that the attachment of the panels to the studs at their joints is not such as permits independent accessibility of individual panels in at least one of the rows.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a demountable partition having two opposed rows of partition panels, supported by studs one of which is confined within another, wherein the joints of each row defined by adjacent, generally abutting panels, are generally opposite those of the other row without crowding the studs supporting the panels at the joints. More specifically, there is provided a demountable partition comprising two opposed rows of partition panels and studs members removably supporting the panels, each row being defined by a series of adjacent pairs of panels having their opposed vertical edges generally in abutment to define a partition joint, each stud member being removably attached to the panels of one of the pairs in the vicinity of the joint, the partition being characterized in that the joints of one row are generally directly opposite the joints ofthe opposite row and the stud member of one of said joints is confined within the stud member of the opposite joint. The confined stud member preferably includes a portion which abuts against the portion of the opposite joint stud member engaged in supporting the opposite row.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to pro vide a two-row demountable partition having uniformly sized stud members supporting each row, and joints de fined by adjacent pairs of partition panels wherein the joints of one row are generally directly opposite those of the other row, and still readily accommodate both stud members of both rows at the joints.

It is a related object of the invention to provide such a partition in the simplest form possible, which requires no additional pieces or members to accommodate the two stud members in close proximity.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a partition wherein the stud members of one row are confined within those of the opposite row and give structural support to the same.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent upon reference to the following brief description of the drawing and discussion of the embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view of a partition or wall constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view in elevation of the partition shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the stud members shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view similar to FIG. 1, but illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The disclosure concerns a demountable wall or partition formed from two opposed rows of partition panels and stud members, wherein a novel assembly of the partition permits the joints formed by opposed edges of adjacent paired panels in one row to be directly opposite a similarly formed joint in the other row. Such a partition can be used to form any type of wall having these members, but preferably is of the type wherein each of the two opposed rows is relatively independently mounted with respect to the other except for the aforesaid alignment of the partition joints. Thus, a demountable partition having non-aligned joints could incorporate the invention, as noted below, if a change in dimensions should cause joint alignment over a portion of the length of the wall.

Turning now to FIG. I, there is illustrated a demountable wall or partition which features two of the embodiments made possible by the invention. That is, partition 10 features two opposed rows 12 and 14 of partition panels 16, each removably supported by stud members 30 and 40, respectively. The stud members are preferably floating, the entire wall being conventionally mounted by ceiling and floor runners l8 and 20, respectively (FIG. 2). That is, the floor edges of the partition may be finished with either a top set base 22 or a base and attachment clip 24. The panels 16 may be of any conventional material, preferably gypsum wallboard, and at least the panels 16 of row 14 are kerfed at 25 along their vertical edges 26. Adjacent panels in either row 12 or 14, when taken in pairs, form a partition joint 28 at the abutment of their adjacent edges 26.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, as shown in FIG. 1, the joints of row 12 are generally directly opposite those of row 14. The joints 28 of row 14 are further characterized by studs 30 mounting and supporting the panels of that row by being interengaged with those panels at those joints. The particular stud 30 illustrated is the same as one of those disclosed in my aforesaid copending application, except that, as will be seen hereafter, there is no need for lancedout back-up tabs. That is, stud 30 is preferably J-shaped in crosssection and comprises a metallic member having a central web 32, a doubled-over flange 34 joined to one edge of the web 32, and a second flange 36 joined to the opposite edge of the web portion. The flange 34 is especially adapted to form means for supporting the panels of row 14 in that it is removably interengaged within the kerfs 25 of two adjacent panels. It will be recognized that row 14 is capable of only progressive assembly and disassembly, due to the dual interengagement of both adjacent panels by the studs 30.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, row 12 is assembled and supported by means of studs 40, each stud 30 being confined within and surrounded by a stud 40. Specifically, studs 40 are four-sided, generally rectangular or box-shaped channels, having a web portion 42, side flanges 44 extending generally perpendicularly therefrom and an open side 46 opposite to the web portion formed by terminal edge flanges 48 extending generally perpendicularly from the side flanges and towards each other. The flanges 48 do not contact each other, however, defining the opening of side 46. It is through this opening that the stud 30 extends.

Web portion 42 removably supports adjacent panels of row 12 in a manner which permits non-progressive assembly and disassembly. Preferably, this is accomplished by tape means 50 for removably or releasibly attaching the back surfaces of the panels 16 to the web portion 42 at the joint 28. This means can comprise, for example, a conventional double-sided pressure sensitive adhesive tape, or even a hook and loop material such as Velcro" brand tape fastener made by Velcro Corporation, wherein the hook portion is permanently adhered to either the board back surface or the stud, and the loop portion is permanently adhered to the other. As shown, the adhesive means can be short segments spaced vertically (FIG. 2), or it can be a strip ex tending the full height of the stud 40. In any case, it is preferably applied to both of the two panels forming the joint 28, on opposite sides of that joint.

To reinforce the wall against lateral forces, the back side 52 of the web portion 42 is abutted or contacted with flange 36 in a releasible manner. As shown in the right hand portion of the wall in FIG. 1, the contact can be metal to metal. Or, a strip of tape means 50 as described above can be applied as shown in the lefthand side, to reduce rattling. Further support against lateral forces is obtained by means on studs 40 for sup porting the back surface of the panels in row 14. This is accomplished by the terminal edge flanges 48 being abutted against the back surface of those panels, the individual flanges of each stud being on opposite sides of the joint 28. As in the case of the flange 36, flanges 48 can be in abutment only to the back surface, or releasibly attached thereto by tape means 50 as shown in the left-hand portion of FIG. 1. It is by reason of the lateral support provided to the panels of row 14 by flanges 48 that back-up tabs need not be formed in studs 30.

Thus, it will be readily apparent that stud 40 readily accommodates stud 30 within it, each reinforcing the other against lateral forces. It will be further apparent that the opening 46 is large enough to permit slight discrepancies in panel widths, so that the stud 30 can still be accommodated within stud 40 even though opposite joints 28 might not be positioned exactly opposite. This further permits the use of decorative inserts 60 (FIG. 1), which, of course, alter the alignment of the joints slightly from one in which they are exactly opposite or aligned.

The invention can be further utilized in a wall wherein the joints are, for the most part, staggered, such as is shown in my copending application. That is, if a panel shortened in width is required for any reason, in one row, that could cause the joints to be aligned or directly opposite from that point on. The construction of the invention permits a ready accommodation of such an event. Further, as both rows 12 and 14 of the wall are structurally independent of the other, while at the same time mutually reinforcing, the construction of the invention still meets the requirements of the wall described in my aforesaid application, and thus can be incorporated thereinto.

Turning now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated still another embodiment of the invention wherein the stud 30 has been altered slightly, and the rows supported by each of the two studs have been reversed. Identical parts are numbered as above, while parts similar to those described above bear the same reference numeral to which the suffix a has been added. Thus, the particular row supported by each of the two types of studs can be reversed at any joint along the wall. That is, at any joint 28a in the partition 10 described above, stud 40 can removably support panels 16 of row 14, while stud 30 (not shown) can support the adjacent panels of row 12 exactly as achieved in the previously discussed construction for row 14. This has the advantage of rendering, at this joint, the panels of row 14 individually accessible or non-progressively removable, while the panels of row 12, if supported by stud 30, be come progressively removable only.

Yet a further variation permits both of the rows 12 and 14 to be nonprogressively assembled and disassembled. This is accomplished by using studs 30a, as shown, to removably support the panels of either row. Stud 30a is one of those described in my aforesaid copending application except that the back-up tabs have been omitted. It comprises a web portion 320, a single flange 34a extending from the web portion for interengaging the kerfs of only one of the adjacent panels defining joint 28a in row 12 as shown, and a flange 36a extending from the edge of the web portion opposite to the edge from which flange 34a extends. As with stud 30, flange 36a abuts against the web portion 42 of stud 40. Two such studs 30a are preferably mounted back to back in row 12 at joint 28a, but where tape means 50 is used on flanges 48 of stud 40 at joint 28a, either one of the studs 30a can be omitted.

Although the invention has been described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, it is intended that the invention cover all alternate arrangements, equivalents, and embodiments as may be included within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A demountable partition comprising:

1. lower runner means,

2. upper runner means,

3. two opposed rows of partition panels removably mounted within said lower and upper runner means, each row being defined by a series of adjacent pairs of panels having their opposed vertical edges generally in abutment to define a partition joint, some of said pairs of adjacent panel members being provided with kerfs along their vertical edges, the joints of one row being generally directly opposite the joints of the opposite row,

4. a plurality of first stud members intermediate said rows of partition panels, each comprising:

a. a web portion engaging inner surfaces of adjacent partition panels of one row adjacent the joints therebetween,

b. a pair of side flanges,

c. a pair of space-apart terminal edge flanges engaging inner surfaces of adjacent partition panels of the other row adjacent said joint therebetween,

(1. attaching means securing said web portion to the inner surfaces of said panels, and

5. a plurality of second stud members each having:

a. a central web extending into one of said first stud members,

b. a terminal flange at one end of said web abutting the inner wall of the web portion of said first stud member and being secured thereto,

c. a portion of said central web extending external of said first stud member, and

d. oppositely directed flanges at the end of said central web external extending portion engaged in the kerfs provided in a pair of adjacent partition panels.

2. A partition according to claim 1, wherein the terminal flange of each of said second stud members is attached to the web portions of said first stud members by a releasable adhesive.

3..A partition according to claim 1, wherein the at taching means securing said web portion of each of said first stud members to the abutting partition panels comprises a releasable adhesive.

4. A partition according to claim 1, wherein each of said terminal edge flanges of said first stud members are detachably adhesively affixed to the abutting partition panels.

5. A partition according to claim 1, wherein each second stud member is comprised of two parts each part having a central web, a terminal flange, and a kerfengaging flange, the two parts cooperating to engage the kerfs of adjacent partition panels. 

1. A demountable partition comprising:
 1. lower runner means,
 2. upper runner means,
 3. two opposed rows of partition panels removably mounted within said lower and upper runner means, each row being defined by a series of adjacent pairs of panels having their opposed vertical edges generally in abutment to define a partition joint, some of said pairs of adjacent panel members being provided with kerfs along their vertical edges, the joints of one row being generally directly opposite tHe joints of the opposite row,
 4. a plurality of first stud members intermediate said rows of partition panels, each comprising: a. a web portion engaging inner surfaces of adjacent partition panels of one row adjacent the joints therebetween, b. a pair of side flanges, c. a pair of space-apart terminal edge flanges engaging inner surfaces of adjacent partition panels of the other row adjacent said joint therebetween, d. attaching means securing said web portion to the inner surfaces of said panels, and
 5. a plurality of second stud members each having: a. a central web extending into one of said first stud members, b. a terminal flange at one end of said web abutting the inner wall of the web portion of said first stud member and being secured thereto, c. a portion of said central web extending external of said first stud member, and d. oppositely directed flanges at the end of said central web external extending portion engaged in the kerfs provided in a pair of adjacent partition panels.
 2. upper runner means,
 2. A partition according to claim 1, wherein the terminal flange of each of said second stud members is attached to the web portions of said first stud members by a releasable adhesive.
 3. two opposed rows of partition panels removably mounted within said lower and upper runner means, each row being defined by a series of adjacent pairs of panels having their opposed vertical edges generally in abutment to define a partition joint, some of said pairs of adjacent panel members being provided with kerfs along their vertical edges, the joints of one row being generally directly opposite tHe joints of the opposite row,
 3. A partition according to claim 1, wherein the attaching means securing said web portion of each of said first stud members to the abutting partition panels comprises a releasable adhesive.
 4. A partition according to claim 1, wherein each of said terminal edge flanges of said first stud members are detachably adhesively affixed to the abutting partition panels.
 4. a plurality of first stud members intermediate said rows of partition panels, each comprising: a. a web portion engaging inner surfaces of adjacent partition panels of one row adjacent the joints therebetween, b. a pair of side flanges, c. a pair of space-apart terminal edge flanges engaging inner surfaces of adjacent partition panels of the other row adjacent said joint therebetween, d. attaching means securing said web portion to the inner surfaces of said panels, and
 5. a plurality of second stud members each having: a. a central web extending into one of said first stud members, b. a terminal flange at one end of said web abutting the inner wall of the web portion of said first stud member and being secured thereto, c. a portion of said central web extending external of said first stud member, and d. oppositely directed flanges at the end of said central web external extending portion engaged in the kerfs provided in a pair of adjacent partition panels.
 5. A partition according to claim 1, wherein each second stud member is comprised of two parts each part having a central web, a terminal flange, and a kerf-engaging flange, the two parts cooperating to engage the kerfs of adjacent partition panels. 